Ian Clements
graduate nonprofit management and social entrepreneurship student
Hometown: Copperas Cove, Texas
High School: Copperas Cove High School
Graduated: 2017
I am consistent.
I am intelligent.
I am courageous.
I am a young African American male. I am artistic and very outgoing. I enjoy music festivals, and I love to be involved in the community. I don't fear change and I am determined to meet my goals.
I am passionate about workforce development and the arts. I am also passionate about education. I believe that every young person should be educated, find their passion and, ultimately, develop a plan for themselves. I know life can be filled with obstacles, but I want to be able to help and support people when they need it the most. When I was involved in Brothers Leading and Cultivating Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.), I appreciated the help I received, and I want to be able to do that for those who are younger than me.
I believe that every young person should be educated, find their passion and, ultimately, develop a plan for themselves.
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I was unable to acquire a full-time position in the corporate world. I decided to work a “regular” full-time job, which allowed me to see my future from a different perspective. I learned that I can work toward other opportunities, and I discovered my love for the nonprofit sector. I am now a graduate student in the Nonprofit Management and Social Entrepreneurship program at the University of Baltimore. My goal is to have a thriving career at a nonprofit organization.
Learning to not overthink everything has been one lesson that has taken me a long time to learn, because plans do change over time. I have taken what I have learned and I am using it to achieve my goals. One of my goals is to add inspiration and knowledge to the lives of young adults. I can now tell young adults to set realistic goals that they want to accomplish. I can also tell them not to give up so easily, always push forward, and build a network because that is what has helped me succeed.